I'm a fan of cherry furniture, especially the darker, aged pieces that give off a more sophisticated vibe. However, I've noticed that a lot of the cherry wood I come across, particularly kitchen cabinets, have this dated medium orange color that doesn't appeal to me. I understand that cherry wood changes color over time, but I want to know if there's a way to prevent it from settling into that orange hue. Are there specific finishing techniques or types of cherry that could help achieve a better color?
3 Answers
Regarding your concerns about cherry darkening too much, remember that cherry is very sensitive to UV light. If you use a finish that gives it a darker tone to start with, it might help counteract that orangey hue. Some people even say that using natural oils like Watco can preserve the original cherry aesthetic without veering into that orange tint. It really comes down to your finishing choices!
Totally agree! The key really lies in choosing the right type of finishing method.
You might be right about the finish contributing to that orange tint! I’ve worked with cherry cabinets and found that using garnet shellac can offer a nice hue while also preventing the extreme orange. I've also mixed stains for my projects to help achieve this. If you're looking for something different, there are other methods, like caramelizing the wood by heating it, which gives a beautiful deep color that’s even throughout. This works well with cherry but requires proper equipment to do larger pieces. It's definitely an option worth looking into for smaller projects!
I’ve heard about the caramelizing process, and it does sound cool! Just keep in mind it can be tricky for larger boards unless you have a big oven.
True, but if you have the means, it’s a fantastic way to get a consistent darker tone!
It sounds like the darker cherry pieces you're seeing may have had some stain applied. Staining cherry can help darken it, but you're right that untreated cherry tends to turn more orange over time. It's a common issue, and many folks opt for staining to get a deeper color right away since natural cherry often turns a dark rust-like shade. Just keep in mind that cherry wood can react unpredictably when it darkens, so there’s no foolproof method to control it completely.
The upside is that if you find a good quality cherry, you can sometimes bring it to life with other finishing methods that help maintain that warmer look!
Yeah, I totally see why you’d be concerned—if you're searching for a specific aesthetic, it’s best to consider woods that start darker naturally, like walnut, if you want to avoid that orange look.
That's a solid point! I’ve found that finishes can make a huge difference in maintaining the intended color.